THE LEARNING ARCHIVES

Whether you're creating maps for a novel, rpg, or just for fun, this collection of tutorials and map tips will help you create more professional and believable maps for your story!

How to Draw a Snowy River
Tutorial Josh Stolarz Tutorial Josh Stolarz

How to Draw a Snowy River

How do you draw something like snow on your fantasy map? Fortunately, it is pretty simple if you know how to draw your line art and build your color palette. In this tutorial, you'll learn some simple steps to transform a typical river into a winter setting for your next story. This is a great way to level up your maps whether it's for an rpg like Pathfinder or your next novel. So let’s start mapping!

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Creating a River On Your City Maps with The City Map Builder
Map Tip Josh Stolarz Map Tip Josh Stolarz

Creating a River On Your City Maps with The City Map Builder

What is the best way to create a river on your map using the City Map Builder? Adding buildings, forests, and other features is pretty straight forward, but how do you add something like a stream flowing through your settlement? In this tutorial I’ll walk you through my favorite method so you can easily add some interesting rivers to your maps!

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Where to Place Rivers on Your Fantasy Maps
Map Tip Josh Stolarz Map Tip Josh Stolarz

Where to Place Rivers on Your Fantasy Maps

Rivers are likely an essential feature for the fantasy world you’re creating. Water is vital for life as we know it, not only for survival but transportation or trade. Understanding where to place them on a map is challenging if you don't want it to appear arbitrary. But if you grasp how water moves through a landscape, it will go a long way toward creating a sense of realism for your maps and worldbuilding.

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How to Draw a Canyon
Tutorial Josh Stolarz Tutorial Josh Stolarz

How to Draw a Canyon

Canyons are a striking feature of any landscape and can really be a focal point in the story you're telling. In this tutorial, you will learn how to draw canyons that bring a sense of depth to the landscape and make your fantasy map really stand out.

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How to Draw a Waterfall
Tutorial Josh Stolarz Tutorial Josh Stolarz

How to Draw a Waterfall

How many of us have hiked for miles just to see a waterfall? Even if you haven’t, it’s not difficult to recognize the beauty and power that so many find compelling. This is why they are such an interesting feature to include on your fantasy maps. In this tutorial, you will learn some simple steps to walk you through how to draw a waterfall on your map for your next rpg or book. Let’s start mapping!

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